‘Before Mr Glazer bought Manchester United, he didn’t know there was air in the ball’ – Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has spoken out against the Glazer family's ownership of Manchester United.

The American's acquisition of the Premier League giants proved controversial at the time due to the large levels of debt that were transferred onto the club's books.

And former Bayern striker has since suggested that owner Malcolm Glazer had no knowledge of football prior to his 2005 takeover.

Hoeness told Bloomberg: “Before Mr Glazer bought Manchester United, he didn’t know there was air in the ball. That’s not something that I accept. His target is making money.

“I would accept Mr Glazer immediately if he says ‘OK, the price of Manchester United is £800 million. That’s my money, my risk and now we are working.’

"But what did he do? He bought the club and said ‘OK, I don’t have the money, how can we finance it?’ That’s something that I never accept.”

Glazer gained control of the current Champions mainly through loaned money, much of which is yet to be re-paid, something which has been a sticking point for many United fans.

Supporters of the Red Devils have also seen the emergence of their neighbouring rivals Manchester City as title contenders, thanks to a massive investment from Sheikh Mansour, a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal family.

Hoeness also discussed his dismay at City's lavish spending, but admitted he preferred Mansour's methods.

He added: “In this moment, will he [the wealthy owner] one day say now I go on my ships and I buy pictures and so on? But if you say which option [Glazers or benefactor], you want to have I would say I take the guy from Abu Dhabi.”

The Bundesliga side have posted a profit in each of the last 20 seasons, and therefore will be unworried by the introduction of Uefa's Financial Fair Play rulings, while United themselves were quick to respond to Hoeness' comments, suggesting the club is in a healthy position. 

United's director of communications Phil Townsend retorted: "Mr Hoeness has a right to an opinion, but results over the last seven years speak for themselves and Manchester United is in a healthy position, both on and off the pitch.

“The Glazer family have been integral in boosting of the club’s revenues, which have seen Manchester United become world leaders in the breadth and depth of our commercial partnerships.”